Clintonville | Manawa | New London
August 26, 2010
American Water Spaniel Club celebrates Anniversary
By Lori Schneider
COUNTY POST EAST
NEW LONDON – As the club supporting the American water spaniel turns
75 years old this year, I spent some time discovering what the
attraction is to the small, brown coated dog that was developed in
the early 1900s by New London’s Dr. Fred Pfeifer.
An extremely hot and humid stretch of weather occurred during the
event that was held Aug. 11-15, yet the dogs all looked well cared
for and more than ready to perform. Handlers busied themselves with
preparations while most dogs sat in kennels, cooled by portable fans
and plenty of water.
From the official program of the American Water Spaniel Club (AWSC)
for Aug. 12 events at Hatten Park, there were 41 American water
spaniels (AWS) dogs totaling 52 entries in show and trial. There
were five entries in Sweepstakes, 33 in Conformation and one entry
in Junior Showmanship; two more in Obedience and eight in Rally.
“They definitely have it better than we do,” remarked Avis Prior of
Rehoboth, Ma. This was her third trip to New London and she didn’t
recall temperatures soaring this high before. She had four AWS in
her entourage. Two were entered in the Field while two were in
Conformation and Rally. Her dog, Joya, is eight years old and the
consummate professional show dog. Joya enjoyed getting her neck
scratched and was happy to let me snap a picture of her.
Andy Springer of Hortonville was a newcomer to the show ring with his 18-month old male, Staley. He was entered in the Sweepstakes, a competition for 6-18 month olds, a great way to gain experience for future competitions. Four other handlers showed dogs in this event.
The dogs moved with style and grace throughout the events. There was
very little barking, no scuffles, just a lot of curiosity and banter
between ranks.
Many handlers I had seen in the ring at Hatten Park reappeared in
the fields at J&H Game Farm in Navarino the next day for a
Roustabout. This field exercise involves 10 acres of land, with
three birds planted somewhere in that area. With two gunners and one
dog, the team has 20 minutes to flush the birds out. Using just
three shells each, the gunners and dog are judged on flushing,
retrieval, hitting the targets, unused shells and unused time.
It was obvious the dogs were just as comfortable in this element as
they were in the show ring. Lois and David McCracken of Sumter,
South Carolina brought three-year old AWS, Gumbo, to New London
this year. Gumbo was the youngest AWS to get a Working Dog
Excellent designation at just 11 months old. At 30 months old he
was the youngest to achieve the Working Dog Superior title.
AWSC Co-chair for the Hunt Event Sue Liemohn of Anoka, Minnesota had
the top level dog in the country here – Justin, a nine-year old, is
the only dog to pass five days of United Kennel Club testing for a
HRC Grand title.
Gator, an
American water spaniel, retrieves a duck.
Lois McCracken photo
Kat Mann
receives a duck from her AWS, Gator, while performing field tests at
J&H Game Farm in Shiocton, during the 2010 National Specialty and
Hunt Tests.
Lois McCracken photo
Other AWSC members came from California, Colorado, Montana,
Missouri, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia and as close as Minnesota,
Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.
AWSC Co-chair for the Hunt Event David McCracken explained that a
Hunt Test is different from a field trial. “On a Hunt Test you are
running against the standard and every dog that passes the standard
wins a ribbon,” he said. “With a field trial, there are places won,
usually first through fourth.”
As I understand it, the Hunt Test Started Dog level involves young
dogs who have to flush one bird out. The Working Dog Excellent
level includes flushing two birds and retrieving a marked double in
the field. The marked double simulates two birds going up, and the
dog sits by the handler and watches, and then has to retrieve the
birds using memory and scent.
For the Working Dog Superior the same rules are used, however three
birds are used and one must be a fly-away. Superior also includes a
blind retrieval and water retrieval. The dog must also sit as
another dog does the work of retrieving, not interfering with the
process. This is called honoring the work.
Roustabout
winner Gumbo (official name UH HRCH Carolinas Duck Gumbo WDSRD CGC)
turned three years old last week and competed in New London, WI,
birthplace of the American water spaniel. David and Lois McCracken
of South Carolina both handled Gumbo through four days of events.
After seven years of placing second in the Roustabout event with two
dogs, they were extremely happy for the win.
Submitted photo
The spaniels were notably charged up, but their temperament was
amazing at the same time. These dogs kept their cool, sat and
waited, patiently, as if they knew it didn’t pay to get riled up. I
don’t know how much of that can be attributed to the handlers, and
how much is just in the breed, but it was impressive.
While walking the trail to the trials I met up with Tom Meyer, one
of eight AKC executive field representatives who travel the country
to events such as these. He reported that there are 4,200 sporting
dog events (including herding and lure coursing) each year in the
United States, with over 375,000 entries. “Four of our reps cover
retrieval events, three more cover pointing, and still another
three handle spaniel events,” explained Meyer.
Dean Daebler of J&H Game Farm was happy to have an August event, a
slow time of year in his business. He said he and his family and
volunteers were busy grooming the grounds, setting up blinds, gun
racks, putting skiffs in ponds and preparing meals. They hosted a
barbeque on Saturday evening for the club.
George and Sue Vader-Olsen of Royalton brought a two-year old AWS,
Meghan, to the event, having received her as a rescued dog the day
before. George has been the local contact for AWS rescue for six
years and is happy to spend time with dogs before they are adopted
to a permanent home. “We’ve met a lot of really nice spaniels this
way, and saved a few from getting euthanized,’ said George. “It’s
well worth the effort.” George was happy to discover that Meghan was
not gun shy and had exhibited good a temperament with the other
dogs.
The more time I spent with the AWSC members, the more I saw how the
American water spaniel has proven to be a remarkably diverse dog. He
is at home in the duck blind, field or pond, but equally so in the
show ring and among people as a companion dog. He sits regally, but
runs hard and works hard. He tumbles with children yet stays at the
ready for commands. His soft, curly coat makes him easy to love and
his obedience to his owner is notable. Gentle with children but
fierce with the hunt, the AWS is a dog for many to consider.
Judge Barbara
Burns of Freeport, IL says the American water spaniel is among the
most versatile of dog breeds. Burns has judged 14 breeds over the
past 10 years. In this photo taken at Hatten Park, she is judging
Sweepstakes, a category for young dogs 6 – 18 months old.
Lori Schneider photo
Jon Hattrem of Sparta, WI is a 35 year veteran of the club, now a
board member. As past president of the AWSC, he was here in 1986 to
see then Governor Tony Earl sign the bill into law designating the
AWS as state dog. Jon and everyone I met from the AWSC were taking
care of business and having fun doing it, happy to be in the
birthplace of their favorite breed.
Learn more about the American water spaniel at
www.americanwaterspanielclub.org, or locally you can contact Mike
Dismer of Neenah at 920-486-1423 or kmdiz@new.rr.com. Look for more
photos of the five day event on the County Post website,
WaupacaNow.com.